MV Explorer (1969)

For other ships with the same name, see MS Explorer.

MS Explorer in January 2005
History
Name
  • 1969–1985: Lindblad Explorer
  • 1985–1992: Society Explorer[1]
  • 1992–2007: Explorer
Owner
  • 1969–1972: K/S A/S Explorer & Co, Oslo, Norway
  • 1972–1980: Swedish American Line, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • 1980–1982: Lindblad Swire Cruises, Panama
  • 1982–1983: Salén AB, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 1983–1985: Ferry Services Curacao NV, Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
  • 1985–1992: Discoverer Reederei GmbH, Germany
  • 1992–2003: Explorer Shipping, Monrovia, Liberia
  • 2003–2004: Kyris Shipping Ltd., Monaco
  • 2004–2007: G.A.P. Shipping, Bahamas
Port of registry
BuilderUudenkaupungin Telakka, Uusikaupunki, Finland
Laid down1969
Launched14 December 1969
In service1969–2007
Out of service23 November 2007
Identification
FateSank after hitting an iceberg on 23 November 2007 at 62°24′S 57°16′W / 62.400°S 57.267°W / -62.400; -57.267
General characteristics
Tonnage2398
Length239 ft (73 m)
Beam46 ft (14 m)
Draught14 ft 7 in (4.45 m)
Ice classICE-1A (as per BNV, equals Finnish-Swedish IA)[2]
Propulsion2 × MaK diesel M452 AK each 1,800 bhp (1,300 kW), driving a single variable-pitch propeller, 4 blades
Speed12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph)
Capacity104 passengers
Crew54

MS Explorer or MV Explorer was a Liberian-registered cruise ship, the first vessel of that kind used specifically to sail the icy waters of the Antarctic Ocean. She was the first cruise ship to sink there,[3] after striking an iceberg on 23 November 2007. All passengers and crew were rescued.[4]

The ship was commissioned and operated by the Swedish explorer Lars-Eric Lindblad. Its 1969 expeditionary cruise to Antarctica was the forerunner for today's sea-based tourism in that region.[5][6] The vessel was originally named MS Lindblad Explorer (until 1985), and MS Society Explorer (until 1992). Ownership of the vessel changed several times, the last owner being the Toronto-based travel company G.A.P Adventures which acquired Explorer in 2004.[1][7]

Explorer was abandoned in the early hours of 23 November 2007 after taking on water near the South Shetland Islands in the Southern Ocean, an area which is usually stormy but was calm at the time.[8] Explorer was confirmed by the Chilean Navy to have sunk at an approximate position of 62°24′S 57°16′W / 62.400°S 57.267°W / -62.400; -57.267, between the South Shetlands and Grahams Land in the Bransfield Strait;[9] where the depth is roughly 600 m.[10] The Royal Navy Antarctic Patrol Ship Endurance, whilst carrying out a hydrographic survey for the British Antarctic Survey and at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, later pinpointed Explorer's final resting place as 62°24′17.57″S 57°11′46.49″W / 62.4048806°S 57.1962472°W / -62.4048806; -57.1962472, at an approximate depth of 1,130 metres (3,710 ft) – a distance of 4,373 m (14,347 ft) from her reported sinking position. This is broadly consistent with the direction of the prevailing current.[11]

  1. ^ a b Possibly also named MS World Explorer after 1985
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Report was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Reel, Monte (24 November 2007). "Cruise Ship Sinks Off Antarctica". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  4. ^ "154 Rescued From Sinking Ship in Antarctic: Passengers, Crew Boarding Another Ship After Wait In Lifeboats; No Injuries Reported". CBS News. 23 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 November 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  5. ^ Mar 28 – Hump Day Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, British Antarctic Survey.
  6. ^ Scope of Antarctic Tourism – A Background Presentation Archived 16 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, IAATO official website.
  7. ^ "Expeditions aboard the legendary M/S Explorer". G.A.P. Adventures. Archived from the original on 18 April 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Doomed Ship Defies Antarctica Odds". Reuters. 25 November 2007. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  9. ^ "MS Explorer – situation report". The Falkland Islands News. 23 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 November 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  10. ^ MV Explorer Cruise Ship Sinking In South Atlantic, The Shipping Times, 23 November 2007
  11. ^ "Royal Navy Locates Antarctic Wreck of Cruise Liner". Fleet Media & Communication, Royal Navy. Retrieved 15 March 2008.